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Owner description: Nowhere can the story of South Africa's turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Constitution Hill is a national heritage site situated in the Johannesburg CBD and is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa- the highest court in the country on constitutional matters. Once a place of injustice and brutality, where South Africa's leading political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, were detained, the site has been transformed into a place of solidarity and democracy, home to the Women's Gaol museum, Number Four Museum, and Old Fort Museum. Apart from its engaging and gripping exhibitions, Constitution Hill is also open to the public for guided tours and has become an important platform for Heritage, Education, and Tourism related programmes. The vast variety of programmes hosted at Constitution Hill enable us to embrace current issues, celebrate days of national significance, address matters of public interest and create a forum for public debate. With its rich history and character Constitution Hill boasts of ideal platforms to educate and learn about South Africa's story. ConHill, as it is famously known, also offers a variety of multi-purpose venues, suitable for conferencing, performances, a large array of events and for public activities and programmes.

It is an excellent educational experience to visit the old prison at Constitution Hill. The prison is well set out with good information points on what happened there. I found it to be an interesting and moving experience. Our guide was friendly, polite, and conducted the tour with an appropriately respectful tone. However, my partner who is not as interested in history found the tour a little dry.

The constitutional court is a stunningly beautiful space, and easily worth half an hour of your time after the tour has ended to look around the artwork and space itself

Ask lazboy52 about Constitution Hill

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

ConHill-SA, Public Relations Manager at Constitution Hill, responded to this reviewResponded 11 November 2016

Dear lazboy52

Thank you for your visit and review of ConHill, and for sharing your experience, we are happy that you still enjoyed the tour despite your husband finding it dry but i am sure there was something he picked up that was shown or spoken of. Hope to see you again soon!

Best regards,

Constitution Hill

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Knowing very little about apartheid, the comprehensive look at the Constitution Hill and its former prisons and now court buildings was fascinating. Colin was an excellent tour guide who engaged the group and knew all his facts.

Ask nytravell about Constitution Hill

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

ConHill-SA, Public Relations Manager at Constitution Hill, responded to this reviewResponded 11 November 2016

Dear nytravell

Thank you for your visit and review of ConHill, we do our best in getting people who are informative and passionate about the job their doing when it comes to our tour guides, we are happy to know that you were able to understand everything that was being said. Hoping to see you here again!

Best Regards,

Constitution Hill

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On the former site of a dreadful pretrial detention jail, the Republic of South Africa has created a beautiful yet modest and welcoming Supreme (Constitutional) Court with more beautiful art and craft work than any other such institution I've ever visited in the U.S., all symbolizing the quest for justice and human dignity.

Outside the courthouse is an amazing bronze sculpture of a bent-over man, horse-bit in mouth, pulling a cart loaded with two passengers, large (tile?) silhouettes representing prisoners in the former jail, and portraits of prominent figures in the freedom struggle painted on a wall across the street. Entry to the courthouse is through stunning 20' high doors made from native woods, bearing dozens of hand-carved images by craftsmen from the various provinces, all depicting the aspirations for freedom, equality and human rights. Inside, the courthouse is full of very unique local artwork in many different media, all aimed at giving people a sense that this is a place where they can peacefully settle disputes instead of just receiving punishment. Finally you enter the main courtroom, again heavily adorned with symbolic artwork like a huge national flag done entirely in beadwork, large carpet depicting clouds against the sky, and seating where the justices are at the level of the audience instead of towering over them. Instead of the usually image of a blindfolded woman with balancing scales, the main image on the podium where counsel address the court is adorned with a tree of life. Several hours are needed to see and get the feel for this place, and it should be very interesting to sit in on an actual court session to see to what degree reality matches the symbolic aspirations so inescapably on display.

Ask Don L about Constitution Hill

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

ConHill-SA, Public Relations Manager at Constitution Hill, responded to this reviewResponded 11 November 2016

Dear Don L

Thank you for your review of ConHill, and for sharing your experience. The Court brings a different feel to this place. With all the stories told when you get to see the difference it has brought to the site is just amazing. It represents freedom for all, freedom of speech, expression and equality to all. The art work was collected from all over the Provinces so that no one feels left out, The Court is for all of us, thank you for the wonderful praises and please continue to spread the word about the site to friends and family. Hoping to have you back again soon!

Kindest Regards,

Constitution Hill

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC